Nique temporarily closed amid Ministry of Labour investigation
A downtown Hamilton restaurant has temporarily closed amid a Ministry of Labour investigation.
The Spectator visited Nique on Thursday and found a sign on the door announcing that the business was closed.
Sorry for any inconveniences," read the sign at the Vine Street establishment. We will be closing to take the week to assess the current situation at hand."
The Spectator made multiple attempts Thursday to reach owner Harrison Hennick for comment on the temporary closure but did not receive a response. Hennick previously told The Spectator the restaurant would not be enforcing the provincial vaccine verification program.
The sign told customers to follow the business on Instagram for any updates, while noting they will be back soon."
The closure comes amid a Ministry of Labour investigation at the restaurant, spurred by a complaint earlier this week.
In an email to The Spectator, ministry spokesperson Shilpa Kotecha said the province received a complaint about Nique on Monday - the same day numerous media outlets, including The Spectator and CBC Hamilton, reported on the Vine Street establishment's refusal to ask patrons for proof of vaccination.
A Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development inspector has been assigned and our investigation is ongoing," wrote Kotecha in a Wednesday email.
No further details were provided about the ministry's investigation. It's unclear what spurred the investigation and if any orders have been issued against the restaurant. The Spectator has reached out to the ministry for additional information and is awaiting a response.
In an email to The Spectator, city spokesperson Michelle Shantz said staff were aware of the closure but the city was not involved."
Hamilton's director of licensing and bylaw services Monica Ciriello said bylaw officers attended the restaurant last weekend - just days after the rule went into effect - and found there were no violations.
However, she did confirm Wednesday in an interview that bylaw officers would be visiting the restaurant again.
Ciriello said the city is also aware of online lists of businesses that claim they will not be enforcing the vaccine verification policy. Those businesses are front and centre" of their enforcement efforts, she added.
As of Sept. 22, Ontarians are now required to present proof they've been vaccinated against COVID-19 - along with a piece of identification - in order to enter a number of indoor public settings, including restaurants, gyms and cinemas.
Those businesses are required to check for proof when patrons enter the establishment. Business owners who do not comply with the rules can face fines of up to $10 million, according to the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).
More to come ...
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com